Rapids sign Janniere, re-sign Earls

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Wednesday, March 30, 2011) – The Colorado Rapids announced today that the club has signed defender Danny Earls and midfielder Josh Janniere. Per club and league policies, financial terms of the transactions were not disclosed.

Earls was a part of the Rapids’ championship squad in 2010, playing 18 games at left back. He was traded to the Seattle Sounders FC at the end of the season and was released by the Sounders last month. Previously, Earls spent two seasons with the USL-1 Rochester Rhinos. He gained significant experience while playing with English Premier League side Aston Villa’s Reserve squad from 2005-2008. Earls has also been capped as a member of the Republic of Ireland's U15, U16, U18 and U19 National Teams.

The Rapids acquired the rights to Janniere from Toronto FC in exchange for a 2013 3rd round natural Supplemental Draft pick. Janniere joined the Toronto FC Youth Academy when he was 15 after playing for the Ontario Provincial Team. He played three seasons with the Senior Youth Academy side, traveled with the TFC first team during the 2010 preseason and spent the 2011 preseason with the Rapids.

Earls, the 21-year-old from Dublin, Ireland, and Janniere, an 18-year-old from Toronto, Canada, become the fourth and fifth international players on the team’s roster, leaving two international slots remaining.

Colorado continues their regular season this weekend as they face D.C. United at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Sunday, April 3 at 5 p.m. MT. Season tickets are available by calling the Rapids at (303) 825-GOAL or online at www.ColoradoRapids.com.